A Charleston Battery Blog

Month: July 2016

Heviel Cordoves helped the Charleston Battery battle back from a goal down, scoring the equalizer as they came away with a point against FC Cincinnati.

The first match between the two sides went the way of the Battery on the first day of the season, but Cincy had grown since then and used the loss as somewhat of a learning curve to help them to their current third place position, two points ahead of the Battery. One of the biggest factors in their good form in their inaugural season has been their home crowd, which, for this particular match, was over 19,000 strong, which would mean that the Battery would have to cope under a little bit of added pressure.

And they did that well, Romario Williams unlucky to have not fashioned a chance early on after latching on to a long ball, but was unlucky to not control it as the ball was cleared.

Some great interplay outside the penalty area by Cincinnati nearly lead to a chance, but the ball would eventually go out for a Battery goal kick as the home side couldn’t connect. Alex Tambakis, who had a decent night in the Battery goal, would send the ball long to be headed on out on the wing and then cleared for a Battery corner, but Mitch Hildebrandt would punch away, and the rebound by Maikel Chang was blocked.

On nine minutes, Omar Cummings was put through by Sean Okoli, but his shot was blocked down by Taylor Mueller and out for a corner, which was eventually cleared.

Some good buildup play, this time for the Battery, led to the first real chance of the evening as Romario Williams tried to curl one along the ground to the opposite corner from the left side of the box after 16 minutes, forcing Hildebrandt in the Cincinnati goal into his first save, tipping the ball around the post, and then collecting the ensuing corner.

Not two minutes later, it was Tambakis at the other end who would have to be on his toes, as a cross from the left bounced in the middle of the box, only to fall to a Cincinnati player, whose shot from 20 yards had to be saved by the man on loan from Atlanta United.

On 25′, Ricky Garbanzo got the ball in a dangerous area, and looked up to find a man in Romario Williams, who did well to stay onside, and looked to think about the shot himself before passing off to the onrushing Zach Prince, but the midfielder’s shot bounced just wide.

Sean Okoli would win the ball back in the hosts’ attacking third on 29 minutes after some bad footwork by the Battery led to a giveaway, and got a cross in, which Obi Woodbine would clear and send Williams with the intent to start a counter, but not for the first time, the ball would be tackled away

With ten minutes left in the first half, Sean Okoli would receive a ball over the top, and take it down with the intention to shoot. The ball would be hassled clear, but only pop out to Jimmy McGlaughlin, who would shoot, but the effort would be just wide

Two minutes later as the Battery had possession, Romario Williams had the ball at his feet and would trick past a man, thus opening up play to slot it across to Maikel Chang, who sped toward the middle looking to thread the ball into the box, but the danger was cleared.

Cincinnati’s Eric Stevenson would see the ball pop out to him thanks to a deflection, and have a go from range which looked dangerous, but the effort was wide of Alex Tambakis’ post.

And the last effort of the half would fall to the hosts, when a Jimmy McGlaughlin cross was away by the Battery defense, but Andrew Wiedeman would pick up the pieces, shooting on the half volley an effort that looked destined for goal, but Tambakis produced a great save to keep us scoreless. Okoli would do what a striker should and follow in, and Tambakis would save that effort as well, though the effort wouldn’tve counted as he was adjudged to be offside.

Both sides would have their moments in the first half, with the Battery starting off best, but the home side coming into it as the match would go on.

But there was a moment of worry for the Black and Yellow early on in the second half, when Taylor Mueller, who had been in some impressive form in recent weeks, would come off with a shoulder injury to be replaced by Forrest Lasso.

Not too long after, Mueller’s absence would be felt as Jimmy McGlaughlin would cross the ball from the left edge of the box, which would be dummied on by Okoli to Omar Cummings, who left Tambakis flatfooted and opened the scoring.

So after a decent first half, things quickly turned scary for the Battery, who knew they couldn’t afford to lose, and fall behind in the standings in a vital point in the season as we quickly head toward the home stretch.

But the visitors would look to get on the front foot quickly, with Maikel Chang having a pop at Hildebrandt’s goal, but the shot lacked power and went softly into the ‘keeper’s arms.

Heviel Cordoves, who sealed the points for the Battery in their trip to New York to take on Red Bulls II, would come on on 58, replacing Ricky Garbanzo, who struggled a little to make an impact in the second half.

Quinton Griffith would power himself down the line and have a shot at goal from range, but the effort went high.

And then on 69′, the visitors would get a lifeline. It came from a corner played in by Maikel Chang with pinpoint accuracy, putting the ball intothe edge of the six for the big men to go up for. It was Heviel Cordoves that rose highest, beating the ‘keeper to the ball and flicking the ball into the net.

It was something that the visitors maybe deserved after showing some fight to get back into the game after the goal.

McGlaughlin for the hosts ended up on the end of some good work by Cincy, but Tambakis would produce a save.

On 78’, Cincinnati had a very promising chance from a free kick about 23 yards out, but the shot went high over the bar.

With seven minutes left, Chris Tsonis would come on for Romario Williams, and nearly have an immediate impact. Quinton Griffith would serve a cross in for the striker, who would power a header off the bar, which bounced down and off of the goalkeeper Hildebrandt, as it hit the line and squirmed out for a corner.

A Battery corner with a minute of normal time to go was cleared, but put back in by Obi Woodbine and cleared for another before being collected.

In added time, Cordoves broke away for the Battery, and got into the box before a last ditch tackle cleared the danger for the hosts. But the was a touch of controversy as the defender looked to extend his hand away from his body in order to take the ball from the toe of the attacker, though nothing was given.

And that’s the way it ended, with the Battery earning the point that gave them 4 from two straight away games, including the win against NYRB II, and doing them well for their playoff hopes, given that they remain in touching distance of the rest of the top four.

The Battery return home next to face rivals Charlotte Independence on August 3ed, with Kick Off at 7:30.

TOP IMAGE: ALEX TAMBAKIS COMES TO CLAIM IN THE SEASON’S FIRST MEETING BETWEEN CINCINNATI AND THE BATTERY AS THE SCORE WAS 2-1. ROSS ALMERS PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO

In a match where neither team was ever out of the contest, it was the Charleston Battery who prevailed against New York Red Bulls II, earning a big three points to start a tough road trip.

The Battery put themselves into a bit of trouble early on, when defender Shawn Ferguson misplaced a pass that was intercepted high in midfield by the Red Bulls, and in one pass, Anatole Abang was through on goal, but Alex Tambakis came and closed the angle, giving the striker little space to shoot before the ball was eventually parried by the ‘keeper and cleared.

But from danger at one end to a breakthrough at the other, as Obi Woodbine would take a throw-in high up the pitch for the visitors. Woodbine, dangerous with his long throw-ins, which often turn out to be more of a set piece, found Maikel Chang at the front post, whose header found the upper 90 to give the Battery the early 1-0 lead.

Chang is someone who often is the provider than the one who finishes the chances, but the Battery had an early goal to defend, and with the amount of solid frontmen for the Red Bulls, they would have to be on their game.

But Romario Williams was on the other end of a long ball in the 11th minute, fighting his way to the byline before pulling the ball back before the cross was cleared, giving Woodbine another chance to launch one into the box, but this time the ball was cleared at the front post as the Red Bulls had apparently learned their lesson.

Three minutes later. there was more danger for the Battery, as the Red Bulls had a corner, which went all the way through and dropped othe right edge of the six, but it was scuffled away by the Battery and up the pitch.

The Red Bulls had some chances down the right side as a cross in on 24′ went out for a corner, but the set piece came to nothing as it was eventually cleared.

Obi Woodbine would continue his impressive showing when he found space in the middle on 29′, threading an inch perfect through ball to Romario Williams. The through ball left Williams with only one thing left to do, and he picked his spot into the bottom corner to double the Battery’s lead. The frontman is certainly glad to have rediscovered his scoring touch in recent weeks, having gone through a somewhat barren spell, and will hope it continues with a tough couple of games coming up for the boys in Black and Yellow.

On 36′ the Red Bulls threatened again through Abang, who latched on to a through ball and eventually fired a shot at the near post, but the effort found only the side netting and the Battery’s lead remained at two.

A great run by Williams sent up Chang for the Battery a couple minutes later, but his shot aimed for the far corner was saved well by the Red Bulls ‘keeper to keep his side in the game.

In first half stoppage time, it was again Abang who was knocking at the door, but his shot went over the bar after a deflection. The ensuing corner was taken short and crossed in at the second attempt, and though a Red Bulls head rose to meet it, the shot sailed over the bar and the half time whistle blew.

And though you could probably say the home side were the better team in the first half, it was the Battery in front, though with the way they were attacking, the hosts were by no means out of it, and would surely be out to prove that in the second half.

And prove it they did. A ball from midfield ten minutes into the second half found a man free on the right edge of the box as it looked as though the Battery were trying to catch the hosts in an offside trap, but it failed as Stefano Bonomo connected with a cross, sliding in and pulling one back for the home side.

It was quite deserved for the home side, and put the Battery on the back foot after coming out and attacking themselves at the start of the second half before the Red Bulls would fashion that first real chance in the second half. It gave the Red Bulls a shot in the arm, and left the Battery a bit shocked.

And the Red Bulls would be level just five minutes after. A Red Bulls corner on that hour mark would be cleared, but only for another, eventually taking a third attempt before anything came of it. The ball was recycled back to Kevin O’Toole, who put in a cross deep into the Battery box looking for someone to head it along. The header never came, and the ball instead bounced. The goalkeeper Tambakis was also expecting the header, and was caught unawares by the bounce, giving the Red Bulls a slightly bizarre equalizer as the score was 2-2.

And so, within 15 minutes of the second half, the Battery’s two goal lead had been erased, which shows you how quickly a game can change. And there was still thirty minutes left for either side to put their stamp on the game.

And thankfully, it was the Battery. The equalizer had prompted a substitution, with Heviel Cordoves coming on in place of Romario Williams. It didn’t take long for the striker to get involved, when Maikel Chang played an inch perfect ball from the left flank low and hard into the penalty area, and Cordoves, getting there ahead of his center-back and shooting first time, leaving the ‘keeper flat footed and putting the visitors back in front.

But that wasn’t the end of the story for the Red Bulls either, when Tambakis was forced into a great save with just about a quarter of an hour to go from an effort on the left that was curling into the opposite corner. Tambakis did well to get down to meet the attempt through a crowd of bodies and parry it away before it was cleared.

But a worrying moment for Quinton Griffith came with five minutes of normal time left, as he collided with Anatole Abang while going up for a header. The ball went out for a corner to the hosts, but both players came down and collided with the goal. Griffith came off worse for wear, and had to be stretchered off. The corner however, was no danger as it went over the bar.

In the 97th minute, the Red Bulls had their best chance to pull something out of it late on, when the ball popped out at the top of the box, but Taylor Meuller got in the way of the effort, taking it full in the face and deflecting the ball away.

And in the Red Bulls’ haste to get back into it, there was an off the ball incident involving Shawn Ferguson for the Battery and Red Bulls’ goalscorer Stefano Bonomo, which led to the latter being sent off, as the hosts ended the match with 10 men.

And that’s the way it stayed, after a full 13 minutes of added on time due to a water break and the Griffith injury. The performance wasn’t perhaps the best for the Battery, but the defense stood strong, and clinical finishing is what got the boys in Black and Yellow over the line.

The three points was crucial, going into a hostile atmosphere in Cincinnati, with that game coming next Saturday. Kick Off is at 7PM.

TOP IMAGE: TODAY’S GAME WINNER HEVIEL CORDOVES SQUARES UP AGAINST AN FC CINCINNATI DEFENDER IN THE FIRST MATCH OF THE SEASON. PHOTO CREDIT ROSS ALMERS PHOTOGRAPHY.

Like in their first meeting of the year, both sides were left to rue missed chances as the Charleston Battery and Orlando City B took a point each from their midweek meeting on Wednesday.

The first half was somewhat cagey, played in midfield and certainly a stalemate, but it was Charleston who could say they were in the ascendancy for most of the second 45, and were unlucky not to come away with all three points.

Only five minutes in, it was Orlando ‘keeper Mark Ridgers who was forced into a save, when a cross on the left was deflected by his own man toward the goal. Ridgers got down quickly to save with his feet, and the ball was cleared with no one following in on the shot in Black and Yellow.

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In the 12th minute, Obi Woodbine would get beaten for pace on the wing, but did well to recover and clear the ball out for a throw-in. The throw was taken quickly, and found the head of a player in purple, but the shot would sail wide.

Five minutes later, Emmanuel Adjetey, rewarded for his recent efforts on the wing in cameos with a start tonight on the left, had a pop when Maikel Chang found him with a low cross from the right flank, but he couldn’t get any purchase on the strike, though forced the goalkeeper into a smart save with the effort. The shot did careen to Justin Portillo, who collected and had a go himself, but his curling shot went just wide of the target.

Maikel Chang had a shot saved on 37, as his effort wobbled safely into Ridgers arms, as both teams went into the break scoreless. Portillo was booked late on in the first half, and will miss the trip to New York to play Red Bulls II.

On the other side of the break, Orlando had a chance saved by Odisnel Cooper, who was deputizing for an injured Alex Tambakis, as a ball was crossed on the right and flicked toward goal.

Romario Williams was on the back end of a counter which led him clean through on 54′, but Ridgers in goal came out to make himself big and produce another good save to deny the home side. The night was getting more and more frustrating for the Black and Yellow.

A ball down the left was played into the box and led to an Orlando chance on 62′, but the effort was high.

There was a double sub in the 65th minute for the Battery, with Dante Marini and Heviel Cordoves coming on for Chris Tsonis and Emmanuel Adjetey. Both players played decent, but the Battery were going to need a little something extra to win the match, and given Marini’s pace, and Cordoves’ hold up play, they were hoping they would provide that something.

And Cordoves almost had a chance just two minutes after coming on, but his shot from just outside the box took a deflection and fell into the path of Romario Williams, who may’ve gotten the ball stuck under his feet as his own shot was blocked down and went behind for a corner, which was eventually cleared away.

A long ball in the 70th minute left Cooper in a spot of bother as an attacker tried to chip it over him as he came out, but the effort went high over the bar.

Ricky Garbanzo came on for Romario Williams in the 78th. Williams was getting in behind the Orlando defense on a couple of occasions, but had just begun to run out of steam.

With 6 minutes left, the Battery earned a corner, and Taylor Mueller rose highest to meet it and direct an effort toward goal, but the ball was cleared off the line.

Odisnel Cooper was then forced into a save after a through ball found an Orlando frontman smartly, who shot low trying to fit the ball through the ‘keeper, but the danger was averted and the ball cleared.

The Battery earned a corner at the death, which found its way to Heviel Cordoves, who couldn’t keep a difficult shot down, which meant that both teams shared the points.

This was the last meeting with Orlando this season. There’s a full ten days between fixtures, as the Battery next face New York Red Bulls II on Saturday, July 23rd, with kick off at 4PM.

TOP IMAGE: THE JUMBOTRON BROADSIDE’S SCORE REMAINED THE SAME FOR 90 MINUTES AS THE BATTERY DREW WITH ORLANDO CITY B WEDNESDAY NIGHT. ALL PHOTOS CREDIT ROSS ALMERS

The Charleston Battery and Louisville City FC took a point each on Saturday night, as the match finished in a 1-1 draw. The first half didn’t make for great viewing, as it seemed no one could string a pass together, but Chandler Hoffman opened the scoring for Louisville before Chris Tsonis equalized late.

Louisville were sloppy early, and the Battery were the better side for much of the first half, but couldn’t make the hosts pay the price. The Battery were very physical for much of the game, and it took a the home side a bit by surprise, as the referee was allowing play to go on, even after several hard challenges.

On 18′, it was Zach Prince with what was probably the best chance of the first half, getting free in midfield and taking a shot from distance that had the goalkeeper scrambling, but the shot would go wide at the near post.

Louisville had a number of corners throughout the first half, but the Battery stood firm and cleared the majority of balls at the first attempt.

Heviel Cordoves would have a shot after latching on to a0 header down by Ricky Garbanzo, but the striker sailed the shot over the bar, perhaps leaning back away from the effort.

Attaulah Guerra would have a go after holding off one or two defenders, then getting to the edge of the box, but his shot was wide of the target.

Louisville made three of their five allotted subs at half-time, in hopes that they could put more of their own stamp on the game.

It was George Davis who had a crack just a few minutes in, but his shot was deflected, and the corner that followed was cleared by the Battery.

Kadeem Dakers had his shot deflected for a corner, but the ensuing corner only led to a counter from the Battery, which eventually fell to Quinton Griffith, whose cross was deflected, and the Battery’s own corner would be cleared.

Heviel Cordoves would receive the first booking of the evening, but that happened to be the least of the Battery’s worries, when on 62′, a Louisville counter fell to the boot of Cameron Lancaster on the right, who beat two players before crossing the ball in. The ball had originally looked to find the feet of Chandler Hoffman before going in, but replays showed that Taylor Mueller was unlucky enough to misshit his clearance past his own ‘keeper, and Louisville were 1-0 up. It was unlucky, and a little bit cruel on the Battery’s defense, given that they seemed to be repelling everything away, but they would have to pick themselves up and claw themselves back into the game.

Romario Williams entered the game for Heviel Cordoves before the Battery got the match restarted after the goal. The Battery’s leading scorer, it was clear the change meant the Battery were going to fight for the equalizer.

On 67,’ A cross from the right found Maikel Chang, who played Obi Woodbine on the overlap, and he played the ball in. The cross was cleared, though Attaulah Guerra would have a pop on the rebound, but the shot went wide.

Then, a couple minutes later, a cleared LouCity corner fell to Romario Williams, who turned on the afterburners to lead the counter, but was fouled before he could get into a dangerous position. The free kick was cleared, though, and the hosts were back on the ball.

Ricky Garbanzo would be replaced for the last 20 minutes by Chris Tsonis. Garbanzo had done what was asked of him, leading the pressing game for the Battery when they didn’t have the ball, pressuring the ‘keeper into making a possible mistake. But his race was run, and the Battery needed another center forward.

Kadeem Dakers would send in a dangerous cross, but the danger was read by Alex Tambakis in the Battery goal.

Zach Prince was booked and subsequently replaced by Emmanuel Adjetey on 78′, seemingly to continue moonlighting as a winger as he had been doing in the past couple games.

Lousiville City would have another corner collected by Tambakis with ten minutes to go, and Attaulah Guerra would be brought off soon after for Forrest Lasso who’s known to come on as a striker in dire situations.

And with five minutes to go, the Battery got a lifeline. A free kick was given just beyond midfield, which was taken quickly and played out to the right flank and played into the box. The Louisville ‘keeper struggled to come and collect, and dropped the ball. In the melee, it was Chris Tsonis who powered home an equalizer from close range, and the score was 1-1. The home side were complaining, but a foul wasn’t given by the referee and the goal stood.

In the 90th minute, Louisville had a corner, but a foul was given after Tambakis went down holding his groin area, and play would eventually resume.

The home side would have the last chance of the evening, when a Louisville free kick was taken from 35 yards out that had a good amount of curl on it, but the shot lacked power and went into the hands of Tambakis.

The teams would have to settle for a share of the points. The Battery stay in fourth place, but just a point behind Louisville, with a game in hand. The Battery return home Wednesday to face Orlando City B. Kick off is scheduled for 7:30. The match will be streamed via ESPN 3.

TOP IMAGE: QUINTON GRIFFITH FIGHTS FOR A BALL DURING A PREVIOUS MEETING BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND LCFC THIS SEASON. ROSS ALMERS PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO

After another pre-match deluge and delayed kick off, it was Rangers who prevailed in a long awaited friendly with the Charleston Battery by a score of 2-1. Jason Windass and Harry Forrester were amongst the goals for the visitors, whilst Attaulah Guerra’s first goal for the Battery late on proved a consolation.

Before the match kicked off, the two honorary captains, Helen and Doug DeLong participated in the coin toss. There was also a special video message played on the jumbotron from the Men in Blazers for Doug, as he prepares for surgery to have a brain tumor removed. We wish him the best of luck.

The match also featured former US international Oguchi Onyewu, who’s on trial with Rangers as he prepares to work his way back to fitness after missing all of last year through injury.

Quinton Griffith earned the Battery’s first corner of the evening on 13 minutes, when his pace got him to the byline and his eventual cross was blocked. The set piece was cleared for another, but it eventually led to nothing.

A ball played through toward Dante Marini from a free kick almost led to a half chance, but the ball was too long for the winger to catch up to, and was collected by the ‘keeper, Wes Foderingham.

Odisnel Cooper was forced into his first save of the evening when Kenny Miller shot from just outside the box on 20′. Cooper struggled to hold on, maybe down to the conditions, but the ball was cleared.

Rangers midfielder Josh Windass got through the Battery defense after weaving his way past his marker on 24′, but his shot was saved. Rangers were creating chances, with Windass himself being one of the focal points, along with Miller, but the net hadn’t yet bulged.

Four minutes later, Andy Halliday would get through on the break for a 1-on-1 with Cooper, but his shot had too much pace on it and went narrowly wide at the far post.

And then, for all of Rangers’ chances, the Battery had one of their own. A ball through over the top found Ricky Garbanzo, who had beaten the ‘keeper to the ball. Garbanzo flicked the ball up in an attempt to chip, but the ball hit the post and stayed out.

And so, at half time, it was all square between the two sides. Rangers were indeed the better team, as you’d expect, but the delay in the weather made it difficult for either team to really play to their full potential.

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10 subs were made at half time by the Battery, with Taylor Mueller the only one to remain on. Zach Prince, Alex Tambakis, Chris Tsonis, Forrest Lasso, and four Atlanta United loanees, including homegrown signing Andrew Carleton and Jeffery Otoo. Patrick Okonkwo, who plays for Atlanta United’s academy, also made an appearance.

It was the latter who would earn the first chance of the second half, after receiving the ball from out on the wing. He held the ball up in the middle of the box, turned, and shot wide of the target. He will say he should’ve done better, maybe panicking a little with the defender on his back.

Kenny Miller had a chance at the other end on 52′, when his header went just wide of goal. The striker had been everywhere, making things happen on and off the ball, and was one of Rangers’ best players on the night.

But the deadlock was finally broken when Rangers countered and got the ball to the byline on the right through O’Halloran, who found Miller, whose shot was saved, but the rebound was pounced upon by Josh Windass and the score was 1-0 in the 58th. It was no more than the away side deserved, and the game probably needed a goal for fear of just petering out a little bit in the second half.

Rangers would add to their goal in the 78th, when Harry Forrester was given time and space to shoot, and the effort dinged off the post and in. It was an impressive strike that beat Tambakis in goal all ends up, but the defending really should have been better for the Battery.

Though the Battery got a little bit of consolation with eight minutes to go, with a ball through finding Attaulah Guerra on the right edge of the box. He had nowhere to go, as his defender was covering the angle for a cross, but gave him space enough to try a half volley from a seemingly impossible angle, that somehow found its way into the back of the net. The goal is Guerra’s first for the Battery, and maybe he’ll say it was worth the wait.

The match ended shortly after, with both teams having vastly different 11s to the ones that started the match. However, this match was somewhat important to the Rangers players, it being their only preseason game before they have a first round tie in the Scottish Cup, so fitness was always key.

The Battery are in action away to Louisville City as they return to league play on Saturday, July 9th. Kick off is at 7:30PM

TOP IMAGE: BOTH TEAMS POSE FOR A GROUP PHOTO BEFORE KICKOFF OF WEDNESDAY’S FRIENDLY. ALL PHOTOS CREDIT ROSS ALMERS PHOTOGRAPHY.

A pair of goals from Taylor Meuller and Heviel Cordoves gave the Charleston Battery three points against rivals Richmond Kickers Saturday night in what proved to be another dominant performance. It was an important win for the Black and Yellow, putting them in 4th place in the East, a point behind FC Cincinnatti, and 5 behind first place Louisville.

The Battery got off to an early start, creating a few good opportunities before earning a corner in the 13th minute after some good work by Obi Woodbine, using his speed to get to the byline before his cross was cleared, but the ensuing corner led to naught.

Richmond’s ‘keeper, Charlie Horton had to be on his toes, as Ricky Garbanzo played in a good looking ball toward Romario Williams, almost connecting before Horton came to gather and snuff out the danger.

Zach Prince would then play Garbanzo through on 20 minutes, but once again, the ‘keeper was there to smother. The Battery were creating well, but needed to capitalize before Richmond came into the game.

There was certainly a moment of worry after 27 minutes, when leading goalscorer Romario Williams, who had already been on the pace so far, would have to be substituted due to an apparent muscle injury by Heviel Cordoves. Cordoves isn’t easy to deal with in his own right, however, and he would make his presence felt.

Maikel Chang took a shot from long range after finding space about 20 yards from goal just before the half hour mark, but Horton would be on his toes, denying the Battery playmaker an excellent goal.

This time, however, the corner would be much better, as Justin Portillo served from the right. The ball was played in to center back Taylor Mueller, who glanced a header toward goal at the front post which went across the face of goal and in to give the Battery a 1-0 lead. Mueller’s no stranger to scoring goals, having done so on numerous occasions, and likes to pop up in derbies, especially. This was just the beginning of what turned out to be a man of the match performance.

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And it wasn’t long before the Battery doubled their lead. Some great build up play on 39′ and an excellent array of passes eventually led to Obi Woodbine being the out ball on the left hand side. The full back played an excellent ball and the substitute Cordoves would rise highest, dispatching the ball into the top corner as it was impossible to reach and the home side were up 2-0.

On the stroke of half time, Richmond had a pair of corners that looked troublesome, but the ball was eventually collected by Alex Tambakis in goal for the Battery.

The home side deserved the lead, after spending a lot of the first half with the ball, while also creating a few chances to maybe even further their lead going into the break.

It was all change for Richmond at half time, however. They made four subs at the break, clearly unhappy with what had transpired in the first 45.

A ball through on the other side of half time nearly created a mix-up between Tambakis and center-half Mueller at the back, but the ball was collected by the goalkeeper and no harm was done.

A deft flick at the other end by Maikel Chang nearly put Cordoves in for a chance to double his tally, but the striker was given offside as the ball was played into him.

Richmond then could have pulled one back through Yudai Imura, who connected with a cross and sent a volley toward goal, but Meuller did well, getting his body in front of the effort which hit the post after the deflection.

Just past the hour mark, the Battery were again unlucky to not have extra insurance, as a curling free kick from Justin Portillo was just inches from finding the back of the net, hitting the bar as the scoreline remained 2-0.

After 68′, there were appeals for a penalty after Ricky Garbanzo went down in the box. There looked to be an outstretched arm from the defender which came across Garbanzo, but the referee waved play on.

A Richmond free kick from the right side went wide after having a crack from a the weird angle with 15 minutes left, when there was four Richmond players in the area.

Dante Marini came on for Ricky Garbanzo shortly after, but was only on for a few minutes after a challenge just beyond midfield had the referee reaching for his back pocket to produce the red card. Marini may feel a little hard done by, given that the challenge was his first and he stayed on his feet. Nevertheless, the home side would play the remainder of the match with ten men, and Marini will miss the next game against Louisville in Kentucky next week.

Maikel Chang came off on 82′ to be replaced by Emmanuel Adjetey. The full back would cameo on the wing for the remaining eight minutes, making his mark with a nifty little run and move to beat a defender with his first few touches on the ball, before being fouled in a bit of a dangerous area. This led to howls from the home fans, who believed that challenge to be worse than the one that Marini had previously gotten his marching orders for.

In the subsequent stoppage, Heviel Cordoves came off to be replaced by Chris Tsonis. Cordoves, of course, scoring the second goal of the evening, put in a decent shift in relief of the injured Williams, and showed that he provides a little something different, as well as depth for the Battery up front.

Yudai Imura’s shot in stoppage time was closer to the corner flag than the goal, as the whistle blew soon after, giving the Battery the three points before their high profile friendly with Scottish giants Rangers FC on Wednesday.

In addition to the Rangers friendly in midweek, the Battery will return to league play as they travel to Louisville City FC on Saturday, July 9th.

TOP IMAGE: TAYLOR MUELLER CELEBRATES WITH HIS TEAMMATES AFTER GLANCING HOME THE BATTERY’S OPENING GOAL. ALL PHOTO CREDIT ROSS ALMERS PHOTOGRAPHY

A/N While the Battery’s high profile friendly with Rangers FC of Scotland isn’t until next week, players have arrived to get acclimatized, with fans not too far behind. With that in mind, The Regiment thought it best to give our guests some tips on how to enjoy Charleston to the fullest, highlighting some go-to spots in the Holy City.

Welcome to Charleston!

No honestly, we are glad to have you. We take hospitality seriously down here in the South, especially here in Charleston. We have a long tradition over the years of hosting visiting supporters at our tailgates and hope you can join us. We are in the minds that we can all drink and share some food before and after the match, with a 90-minute break to support our clubs. Our tailgate starts around 5:30 and we hope you will stop by, say hi and grab a quick bite and drink.

For the Rangers match, we will be serving up our famous Regiment pork tenderloin, chicken, hot dogs and some sausage bites. We also will be serving a lowcountry favorite, Frogmore stew (also known as a lowcountry boil.) Don’t worry, there aren’t any frogs in it! It’s a boil consisting of potatoes, corn, sausage and shrimp. Typically dumped in the middle of the table and meant to be shared by all with a cold beer or two.

The Charleston Battery are one of the oldest continuously run clubs in US soccer. The name gives a nod to the military history of Charleston, known for the battery of cannons that protected the harbor. The Battery started 1993, three years before MLS and a year before the US hosted the 1994 World Cup. The Battery have won four championships and in 1999 was the first to build a professional Soccer Specific Stadium. Over the years, the stadium has hosted teams West Brom, Bolton, Portsmouth and Sunderland as well as most MLS teams.

We hope you enjoy the match and get a chance to explore our city. You’ll find plenty to do around the “Holy City” but like any stranger in a new town, it can be a bit daunting to figure out what to see, where to go and where to eat and drink. With that in mind we put together a little cheat sheet of our favorite Charleston bits.

Where to go:

Charleston has a long history. Surviving the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, earthquakes, fires and hurricanes. Some highlights we recommend are: Start with a carriage ride, it gives you a good sense of history and places to see, head to the Market and pick up some local art or a sweetgrass basket. A stroll along Waterfront Park down to White Point Garden (commonly known as the Battery) and take in the historic homes and architecture. If you have more time go to the first museum in the US at Charleston Museum. Catch the boat to Ft. Sumter where the first shots of the Civil War began. Kids always love the South Carolina Aquarium and the USS Yorktown is a popular spot too. If you have a couple days, head to one of the plantations, find the Angel Oak, and go to one of the beaches. http://www.charlestoncvb.com/plan-your-trip/tours-attractions~204/

Where to Eat:

Charleston is a great food town, from swank nationally acclaimed restaurants to hole in the wall soul food joints. There are so many choices it’s tough to name just a few so here’s a link to a local guide to eating. http://charleston.eater.com/2016/6/29/11880156/charleston-city-guide-where-to-eat Our favorites: The Codfather, Battery fan and Brit, Adam Randal’s new fish and chip shop is getting rave reviews and well deserved. Tattoo Moose for a duck club sandwich and duck fat fries. BBQ at Bessingers, Swig and Swine or Lewis’ if you can get in. Martha Lou’s for the best fried chicken and soul food ever.

Where to Drink:

Charleston has a long tradition of drinking! You won’t have any problem finding nightlife to suit your taste. Start with a tour of one of the many local breweries. Three of them have paired with the Battery to produce Battery themed beers. Frothy Beard, Holy City and Oak Street breweries. Holy City also makes an award winning porter called Pluff Mud Porter and a personal favorite. Check out the list here: www.holycitysinner.com/2014/07/09/breweries-distilleries-in-charleston/

After, head out for some nightlife. Here is a list of the 33 hottest bars in the area right now. http://charleston.eater.com/maps/best-bars-cocktails-beer-wine-charleston Our recommendation is Madra Rua Irish pub, The Sparrow, The Mill, Local 616, The Tin Roof, The Recovery Room, AC’s Bar and Grill, and the Griffin. Our selection is more the dive bar live music type spot but you can find some excellent cocktail bars and dance clubs too. Check out the list. You will also notice there are a lot of bars along King Street downtown. If you can only get to one area, this will give you the biggest selection all within walking (or stumbling) distance